Key aide to Bowden to retire after season

COLLEGE FOOTBALL: Florida State defensive coordinator Mickey Andrews developed 18 first-round draft picks

The Associated Press | • Published November 04, 2009

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Florida State defensive coordinator Mickey Andrews is hanging up his whistle after 47 years coaching, including 26 years with the Seminoles.

The architect of some of the nation’s best defenses helped Florida State win a pair of national titles in the 1990s.

“Because of a lot of speculation and questioning from friends, family and media, we decided to go ahead and do it now,” Andrews said in a handwritten statement.

A football star at Alabama under the coach Paul “Bear” Bryant, Andrews developed 18 first-round NFL draft picks at Florida State beginning with cornerback Deion Sanders in 1989.

Andrews, 68, will direct the defense through this season.

“He’s a guy that has never slowed down,” said coach Bobby Bowden. “He’s just as enthusiastic now as he was when he came here.”

Injured Auburn safety talks

Auburn safety Zac Etheridge feels blessed to be able to walk after a serious neck injury and expects to play football again.

With his neck immobilized by a brace, Etheridge spoke to reporters Tuesday, three days after sustaining an injury in the Mississippi game that landed him in the hospital for two nights.

Etheridge said he wants to play again and doctors told him he should be able to.

“I will definitely be at the Iron Bowl” Nov. 27 against Alabama.

Extra points

X-rays showed Tony Pike’s non-passing arm is healing nicely from surgery, a sign No. 4 Cincinnati’s quarterback may return after missing two games with a broken arm. He is expected to practice today. … Sophomore tailback Darrell Scott is leaving Colorado after 11/2 season filled with injuries and frustration. … Syracuse suspended three players – tailback Antwon Bailey, defensive end Torrey Ball and offensive guard Andrew Tiller – for violating team rules after a car Tiller was driving was involved in a traffic accident at 5:30 a.m. Sunday. … Notre Dame wide receiver Michael Floyd has been medically cleared to return to the team. The 6-3, 220-pound sophomore was averaging 160 yards per game receiving when he broke his left collarbone Sept. 19 against Michigan State. … Georgia running back Washaun Ealey doesn’t think Florida linebacker Brandon Spikes should be suspended for trying to gouge Ealey’s eyes last Saturday.